1 Thessalonians 2:5

1 Thessalonians 2:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
• New International Version (NIV)You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.

Context of 1 Thessalonians 2:5

3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

1 Thessalonians 2:5 word by word

οὔτε γάρ ποτε ἐν λόγῳ κολακείας ἐγενήθημεν, καθὼς οἴδατε, οὔτε ἐν προφάσει πλεονεξίας, θεὸς μάρτυς,Read the interlinear

• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• neitherοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• at any timeποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• used weγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• flatteringκολακείαkolakeia · flatteryG2850
• wordsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• ye knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• a clokeπρόφασιςprophasis · pretenseG4392
• of covetousnessπλεονεξίαpleonexia · greedinessG4124
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• witnessμάρτυςmartus · witnessG3144

Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Job 17:5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
• Job 32:21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
• Psalms 12:2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
• Proverbs 20:19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
• Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
• Proverbs 28:23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
• Isaiah 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
• Matthew 22:16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
• 2 Peter 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
• Isaiah 56:11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
• Jeremiah 6:13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
• Jeremiah 8:10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
• Micah 3:5Thus saith Yhwh concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
• Malachi 1:10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith Yhwh of Armies, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
• Matthew 23:14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
• Acts 20:33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Flattering words - Though we proclaimed the Gospel or glad tidings, yet we showed that without holiness none should see the Lord. Ye know - That while we preached the whole Gospel we never gave any countenance to sin. For a cloak of covetousness - We did not seek temporal emolument; nor did we preach the Gospel for a cloak to our covetousness: God is witness that we did not; we sought you, not yours. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Can ye call God…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5For neither at any time used we flattering words - see the Job 31:21-22 notes; and on 2 Corinthians 2:17 note. The word here rendered “flattering” - ́ kolakeias- occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The meaning is, that the apostle did not deal in the language of adulation; he did not praise them for their beauty, wealth, talent, or accomplishments, and conceal from them the painful truths about their guilt and danger. He stated simple truth - not…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5Flattery was often used to gain money from others. Paul denies flattering the Thessalonians to receive money. He calls both the Thessalonians and God as witnesses (see 2:10; Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. used we flattering words--literally, "become (that is, have we been found) in (the use of) language of flattery"; the resource of those who try to "please men." as ye know--"Ye know" as to whether I flattered you; as to "covetousness," God, the Judge of the heart, alone can be "my witness." cloak of--that is, any specious guise under which I might cloak "covetousness."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 2:5

• Covetousness
• Flattery
• Minister, Christian
• Preaching
• Sincerity
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Affectionately
• Bold
• Chargeable
• Cherish
• Desire
• Joy
• Martyr
• Cloak; Cloke

Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings